Hendy Group is preparing to embark on a rebrand of the Westover Group dealerships it acquired at the start of 2019.

The operation will see 24 showrooms across Dorset and Wiltshire rebranded under the Hendy Group name as part of a move to bring all of the AM100 franchised car retail group’s franchises under one name.

AM reported in March how Hendy expected to scale the AM100 with a turnover of over £1 billion following its acquisition south coast-based Westover Group, adding to its £555m revenues achieved in 2017 to climb into the AM100’s top 15 (2018: 29th).

Previously the AM100’s 46th-placed group, Westover itself achieved a turnover of £336m in 2017.

Ahead of the move to rebrand the entire Westover portfolio, Hendy Group chief executive, Paul Hendy, said the dealerships would take the Hendy name from the beginning of October in a statement that revealed that the acquisition was “already proving a successful move”.

Hendy said: “Hendy is a name which has a strong heritage in Dorset and the time is now right to begin replacing the Westover name.

“The newly-acquired dealerships have integrated extremely well into the Hendy portfolio and it will be great to see this replicated with the Hendy name over the doors.

“Our colleagues have been extremely positive about our acquisition and we look forward to having everyone operating under the Hendy name.”

Hendy said customers have been equally supportive of the acquisition with many welcoming the Hendy name back to the region. 

Hendy operated car dealerships in Dorset from 1913 to 1998, has had an Iveco presence for the last 30 years and recently opened a Car Store in the county.

The rebranding exercise will involve 24 dealerships and 650 colleagues in a major logistics project which will see new signs installed across dealerships in Poole, Ferndown, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Corfe Mullen and Salisbury.

“This is a major milestone in our 160th year of operation,” said Hendy.

“The Westover business is firmly part of Hendy now and the rebrand reinforces our commitment to the region. The integration of Westover strengthens our position as a billion pound turnover company as we look towards the future.”